The episode is a train wreck that goes back and forth. In this episode, Truman tries to make amends for his sins especially with the so called swans. Truman was self destructive and had his demons. I love Chloe Sevigny as C. Z. Guest. Answered Prayers is never fulfilled. I don't know what's fact of fiction so I'll take it as fiction. Sadly Truman died and his ashes should have been buried at Westwood was auctioned off at Juliens. I never cared for Truman as a writer. I think the mother had a big part in what he was seeking. Perhaps unconditional love from a woman other than his mother, maybe that's what the Swans were. Jessica Lange is delicious as his mother. Maybe they want audiences to like Truman or feel sorry for him. But I don't, his actions are omly forgivable and redeemable if he really sought it out. While the episodes are entertaining in a dark comedic way, I don't feel the need to research any further. Too bad, his relationship with Harper Lee wasn't examined in the series.
Reviews
2,535 Reviews
The Oscars
(2024 TV Special)
Whose brilliant idea was it to add dancers to the Memoriam segment in the show?
13 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
The Academy Awards would get a higher rating if they had respected those we lost this year. Sadly, they decide to have Andrea Bocelli and his son sing beautifully onstage. The memoriam video wasn't used entirely. I could see dancers and the orchestra. It was disrespectful to those we lost at all. As a viewer at home, I didn't see the memoriam entirely. It was disrupted by distractions. Please restore the memoriam to remember those we lost.
Apart from the memoriam disaster, the awards did better an hour earlier. Jimmy Kimmel did a superb job as host. The awards moved along smoothly without showing clips in the acting categories. The presenters were fine. The show ended a few minutes earlier than usual. Sadly there were no surprises this time especially in the acting categories. Both films, "Oppenheimer," and "Poor Things," dominated the night. Ryan Gosling did well as did the other performers. I would have liked to have seen the film clips for the actors rather than five previous academy award winners to say something remarkable about a particular nominee and welcome a new member into the club.
Apart from the memoriam disaster, the awards did better an hour earlier. Jimmy Kimmel did a superb job as host. The awards moved along smoothly without showing clips in the acting categories. The presenters were fine. The show ended a few minutes earlier than usual. Sadly there were no surprises this time especially in the acting categories. Both films, "Oppenheimer," and "Poor Things," dominated the night. Ryan Gosling did well as did the other performers. I would have liked to have seen the film clips for the actors rather than five previous academy award winners to say something remarkable about a particular nominee and welcome a new member into the club.
Babe's Final Swan Song
8 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I don't know if I believe what I'm seeing. Barbara Paley is dying and Truman is there. I find that hard to believe after Truman betrayed his closest and best friend. They never reconciled in reality. Sadly Truman had his demons. I don't know what this series was supposed to be about. Truman must have known he wouldn't be welcome at Babe's funeral. His eulogy of her was vapid and empty. It became about Truman all along. Truman might have been a wiz with words but he was an attention seeking celebrity who was obsessed with Babe. I would describe Babe and Truman's relationship as toxic and dysfunctional. I don't get the appeal of Truman capote as a man or celebrity. Tom Holland does an excellent job in making Truman Capote as sympathetic and even empathetic but not completely. When Babe finally succumbs to her cancer, Truman is not there nor does he understand his betrayal. The relationship between Truman and the swans were superficial and empty. The swans lived in a world of appearances, status, wealth and expectations. I expect Ryan Murphy to have some camp and fun but the series has become a train wreck.
Elsbeth
(2024– )
Elsbeth Grows On You
1 March 2024
Emmy winner Carrie Preston stars in her own series about the Chicago attorney moving to New York City and serve as outside observer. I think the Kings wanted to explore the character in a different light than a courtroom. The episode begins with the actual crime. The audience knows the murderer and why before she does. Unlike Columbo, we don't get enough time as the episode is only a hour long. I love Carrie Preston though. Her character of Elsbeth is quite quirky and entertaining. She does grown on you, She had a history of defending criminals. It was only the first episode. Elsbeth was taking in the city as a first time tourist.
Success Is the Best Revenge
(1984)
Poland was Stalin's Dessert
28 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
As a Polish American whose parents immigrated and fled Communist Poland in post World War Two, this film is quite enlightening but falls short. The acting is realistic as the director's wife and sons play their actual roles. The characters are somewhat vague even the lead character. The lead character is a Polish dissident theater director living in London, England after winning the France's Legion of Honor in Paris, France. He wants to create attention to the Polish situation during Martial Law in the early eighties. The film resonates with me as I have had family fighting to get visas. My father wasn't allowed to return to see his own family after he fled the country. The ending was a bit disappointing though. The cast and crew are sufficient enough. I loved seeing the locations in London, England. I never understood Rodak's vision of interactive theater but it was innovative and expensive.
Influencer
(III) (2022)
Sick & Tired is too negative
23 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Cameron and Amber are estranged parents of six year old Haley. Cameron is an aspiring singer and songwriter. Amber has been working as a loan processor. She and Haley become homeless and living in her car. Her boss Jerry offers his home to Amber and Haley. When Amber starts dating, things get weird. It's like a cringeworthy relationship though. Jerry seems to mean well and the film doesn't go out on a limb. Bain Boehlke is memorable as Howard. Cameron works as a nurse's aide at an assisted living home. I enjoyed the scenes with Howard. I was looking for Edna played by legend Wendy Lehr. It's a low budget film. I think the amber and Cameron characters could have been developed better. The Jerry character was a bit much though. I had to fast forward the scenes.
Not Dead Yet
(2023– )
Most Under-rated Sitcom on the Air!
15 February 2024
Gina Rodriguez deserves accolades for her performance as Nell Serrano, a broke and divorced journalist. She takes a job as an obituary reporter for the Los Angeles newspaper. Once she gets an obituary assignment, she starts seeing and talking to those recently deceased to form an ideal obituary. Each episode really works well with this concept. While others can't see or hear the recently departed except Nell, it plays along with the episode's theme and message. Lauren Ash is great as her boss and employer, Lexi. Brad Garrett joins the cast second season as the publication owner. Lauren Ash is a great talent too. The cast work well together. I look forward to seeing the next episodes. I thought this series was a goner during the strike but ABC brought it back.
Extended Family
(2023– )
Sitcoms Take Time! Give It A Chance!
14 February 2024
Emmy award winner Jon Cryer is back in a sitcom role as a divorcing father, Jim Kearney, of two in Boston, Massachusetts. Lenny Clarke plays his character's father on a recurring role. Donald Faison plays, Trey, who also owns the Boston Celtics, the popular professional basketball team. Trey becomes his ex-wife's fiance. The kids get along with the new arrangement. The parents are co-parenting in the contemporary age. Boston is a great city to set a sitcom too. The cast is good but could be better. I have seen almost all of the first eight episodes. I would prefer to see more slapstick humor or even physical humor in the show. We need to see more sitcoms. The art of comedy is a lot harder than drama anyway. Jon Cryer and the cast are doing their best with what they have.
Hell Hath No Fury Like Women Scorned
1 February 2024
Truman Capote exposed his swans although thinly veiled in his Esquire article. He could have added some fictional details to throw readers off the track. He was sloppy and lazy to think the swans would approve. If viewers are supposed to be empathetic to Capote, I didn't care for him as a writer or human being. Chloe Sevigny's C. Z. Guest is perfect in her performance here as she is caught between the swans and Truman. Capote's world explodes as the expose causes him to be exiled from the swans. Would he have published the article if he knew about Babe's cancer? I don't think he would have stopped there. Tom Hollander gives an award winning performance as Truman. We see Joanna Carson and Lee Radziwill in the second episode. The episode goes back and forth in time and place which can be annoying and distracting to the viewers. Truman was all about himself. He was self loathing and unlikeable but masked by his wit and humor. His relationship with John was violent and volatile as seen in this episode. It really is hard to like Truman even now. I do feel more sorry for the swans for the ultimate betrayal.
How could the women not see Capote for who he really was?
1 February 2024
I never cared for Truman Capote. He used people even women who he befriended and confided in him with their darkest secrets. The cast is phenomenal in their performances. Tom Hollander should get accolades for his performance. Truman was a predator who used people. Unfortunately the Esquire magazine article exposed secrets, lies and life on the Upper East Side. Treat Williams was great as William Paley. Even though Babe and Truman never consummated their relationship, she shared intimate secrets of her marriage. Naomi Watts, Diane Lane, Chloe Sevigny and Demi Moore give first rate performances.
TCM Remembers 2016
(2016 Music Video)
I'm Going Home!
21 January 2024
2016 was another year of significant losses in the entertainment world. We lost many of them as usual. The song was appropriate for the the annual music video. Dan Auerbach's song and voice is both hopeful and optimistic. David Bowie and Prince both remembered appropriately. Doris Roberts' affectionate memorable laugh from the movie is placed here although I would have preferred her scene in "Hester Street" over "Christmas Vacation." Patty Duke's scene was from "The Valley of the Dolls" rather than "The Miracle Worker." Again, TCM always delivers a first class video honoring those we lost. Garry Marshall who gave us "Pretty Woman" is honored here with a classic scene.
TCM Remembers 2015
(2015 Music Video)
Quickly Now!
21 January 2024
2015 was another year of great losses for the film world. TCM reminds us how good it was with pictures and visuals mixed with people watching and dancing. The video is worth waiting every year for especially in December. The losses are significant with each person whether a celebrity or not getting a moment to be remembered. The scene of Little Edie Beale dancing from the documentary is mixed in with remembering Albert Mayles. There are plenty of those we lost in 2015. The song is sung by an unknown singer to me, Eryn McHugh. Her voice is perfectly suited to help us remember those we lost in 2015. Even after all these years, I still enjoy the song and video.
TCM Remembers 2023
(2023)
Learning to Fly
27 December 2023
TCM Remembers 2023 delivers again with a beautiful song. Christina Perri sings "Learning to Fly" beautifully perhaps better than anyone in recent memory. The music soars as male dancers rise and fall in a-bare room. Every second is accounted for remembering the lives of those lost in the past year. The quotes seem appropriate too. The clips are usually them dancing at the end. I loved Gina Lollabrigida's moment where she is dancing. The five minutes was beautifully crafted and edited to perfection as always. I enjoyed every second and moment in only five minutes. Too bad it only comes once a year.
Mapleworth Murders
(2020)
Abigail, Think What Would You?
29 October 2023
Paula Pell is still underrated and under appreciated to this day. Her performance as Abigail Mapleworth was terrific. She plays her like Dame Angela Lansbury's Jessica Fletcher. She lives in a small town with a high crime rate of murders. The town is full of funeral homes tied with restaurants. You can have a taco and pay your respects. The short twelve episodes is a parody of murder mystery shows. Paula Pell is joined by plenty of Saturday Night Live alums. Abigail is joined by her Australian niece. I love how they don't take themselves too seriously. It's fun to watch them play one dimensional characters though. It's a good laugh though.
The Big Lebowski
(1998)
Dude, the Name is Dude
26 October 2023
I loved the Coens previous film, Fargo. I can see a lot of similarities between the two films. The Big Lebowski has a lot more humor than Fargo. Jeff Bridges was perfectly cast as Jeff The Dude Lebowski who gets confused with a millionaire of the same name. He gets caught up in a kidnapping and ransom scheme of a trophy wife. The cast is brilliant with John Goodman and Steve Buscemi as the Dude's best friends and bowling buddies. Julianne Moore is particularly memorable as Maude Lebowski. David Huddleston played Jeff Lebowski is also memorable. Phillip Seymour Hoffman played Brandt, his assistant. The film is really a great film for the guys in general. Sam Elliott is memorable as the narrator,
Room 237
(I) (2012)
Some Theories are Just Out There
11 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I found the theories about the film both entertaining and enlightening. The theory about Kubrick faking the moon landing should be omitted from the Final Cut. The other theories are out there too but I won't spoil them else for the viewers. The documentary has people talking over the scenes from the classic film. They also use clips from other Kubrick films. We never see the actual commentators or film theorists. It would have been nice to have a more typical documentary style where they talk about clips. Some of the theories are out there. As much as I love the Shining, the armchair film theorists here take their theories to a whole new level.
The Ghost Town Terror
(2022– )
It isn't so bad!
11 October 2023
I am actually enjoying the series. A Seattle divorced mother of three children, Karen Broussard, bought a small ranching town in Montana. The place is called Gunslinger Gulch in Anaconda, Montana. She lives there with her three children, Colby, Chloe and Cameron. It's an isolated ranch. She contacts paranormal investigators when she needs help in living there. The place has a weird vibe to it. They experience paranormal activity around the place. It's not hard to believe because Montana has a rich troubled history anyway. The scenery is spectacular and you see why it's big sky country. Watching the show, you're getting to see a part of the country that we normally don't see on television.
Mother's Day
(1980)
Not for the Squeamish or Faint Hearted
30 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Too bad there wasn't a sequel to explain some unanswered questions about the end of the film. It is about three college roommates who reunite for an annual trip. This year, Diana selects a camping trip to the Deep Barrens. The signs are there about entering at your own risk. Even the general store owner gave a warning. They drive to the Deep Barrens which is in northwest New Jersey. The first night goes without incident. The next day begins the nightmare as the three women are kidnapped by two deranged brothers who bring them home to mother. Beatrice Pons played the mother brilliantly. The disturbing scenes with Diana are not for the squeamish or the faint hearted. But I think they're tame by today's standards. For an independent horror movie, it is not bad. The cast aren't well known except for Pons. There are disturbing scenes in the movie so I would warn anyone that it can be difficult to watch.
They Came Together
(2014)
New York City is a character in the movie
6 September 2023
Paul Rudd and Amy Poehler play a couple who recounts their turbulent history to another couple at dinner. The movie can be a parody about romantic comedies. Molly plays a small candy store owner and Paul,Rudd plays Joel who works for the big heartless corporation in New York City. They have other partners in their lives. When they finally meet and get together, it is a good partnership. Molly has a son and sister but you forget about them. The cast is first rate with well known and familiar faces. They are not always together but when they do they are magical. It's not my favorite Paul Rudd movie. Amy Poehler is also wonderful.
Our Idiot Brother
(2011)
Operation Free Willy
30 August 2023
Paul Rudd's character Ned was living in upstate New York with his girlfriend Janet played by the awesome Kathryn Hahn. When Ned goes to jail, she moves on with another boyfriend but keeps his beloved dog, Willie Nelson. Ned returns to his childhood home in Long Island to his mother played by Shirley Knight. His sisters are played by Elizabeth Banks, Emily Mortimer and Zooey Deschanel. His sisters each take turns having him stay at their homes. One sister is married to Dylan, played by Steve Coogan. Ned gets along great with his nephew, River. Unknowingly Ned ends up interfering in his sisters' lives. It ends on an up note. It's believable.
Ideal Home
(2018)
You Wonder Why They Call It The Land of Enchantment
30 August 2023
The movie is underrated and under appreciated at the time. It must have fallen through the cracks because I never heard about it, Steve Coogan and Paul Rudd play a long term bickering gay couple in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The movie also sells Santa Fe as the land of enchantment with plenty of scenery, sights and locations. The Christmas season is magical. Erasmus is a well known chef and Paul is his producer and partner. When Erasmus' grandson, Bill, arrives at one of their parties, they take him in reluctantly. Erasmus' son, Beau, is in jail. The actor who plays Bill is wonderful in the role. The cast is stellar. The movie has several fine moments. If you want to see Santa Fe onscreen, this film sells it well. It's more realistic and believable.
I Didn't See That Coming
15 July 2023
Sid and Freya meet, insult each other, fight each other and then kiss each other in the post apocalyptic world. They move to Boomtown with Scrapps, a human pretending to be a dog and pet of Freya. That part I don't understand. They live together in a shack of a home and try to build a normal stable life. Sid gets a job working for a junkman played by the ever awesome Steve Buscemi. The show has its moments, Daniel Radcliffe does a stellar job in playing Sid. He is quite a great comedic actor. The actress who plays Freya does a believable job as a warlord going normal. The boomtown isn't really desirable. I just wished to understand why Scrapps played the dog.
A Year in the Life
(1987–1988)
Sadly it was canceled after a season
29 June 2023
I don't know why shows get canceled. This family drama was high quality viewing at the time. Richard Kiley, a stage, film and television veteran, head the family after his lovely wife died. The series was originally a mini series which extended to a weekly drama, it had a great cast and superb writing. The show could have gotten better in succeeding seasons but the network pulled the plug after the first season. I remember Sarah Jessica Parker playing the quirky wife of Sam Gardener. Wendy Phillips trying to get home for a holiday dinner, Jayne Atkinson's character married a Jewish man played by Adam Arkin. It was set in Seattle, Washington. Another season could have done it justice,
Nothing Is Whatever It Seems To Be.
27 June 2023
The case begins with a young Kelli Williams who accuses Sister Bettina of molesting her. Kate Burton plays the nun who has been called to help the girls at Haven House where young girls from the streets find a home. William H. Macy played Mr. Powell, the director. The original cast with Paul Sorvino was stellar but it was mostly all men. Still I preferred the early seasons of the series with Michael Moriarity as the assistant district attorney. Kate Burton and William H. Macy were experienced stage actors and they still are. I would have loved to have seen more of Kate Burton, Richard's daughter, as a regular character.
Kong: Skull Island
(2017)
Entertaining Adventure
4 June 2023
I was at my gym yesterday with few choices to watch while biking. I didn't get into at first but returned. I love John C. Reilly as Marlowe. The cast is great with Samuel L. Jackson and John Goodman. They are trying to survive on this remote island in the South Pacific. They're indigenous inhabitants too but they remain largely silent. Kong is angry at the monsters who go after the humans. We never really understand why the animals become huge. The special effects are quite Oscar worthy too. The scenery is quite amazing too. I actually don't enjoy movies like this but I did anyway. There were some questions about the island that didn't get answered.
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